Vote now for 2015’s worst Luddite

The end of yet another year is generally a time for reflection — reflection that often prompts lists of “bests,” “most importants” and other retrospective superlatives. The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), however, has prepared something a little different.
The K Street think tank takes the end-of-year opportunity to highlight “the year’s most egregious cases of neo-Luddism in action,” and award the worst of the worst with the ITIF Luddite Award. The organization has collected 10 names (ranging in identity from whole countries to industries in general to nebulous “alarmists”) that they believe top the list of those seeking to “foil technological progress” in 2015.
The ITIF unveiled the list of nominees for Luddite of the year on Monday, and is now seeking reader votes before crowning a winner.
Here’s who made the list:

• Alarmists who tout an artificial intelligence apocalypse.
• Advocates for a ban on “killer robots.”
• States that limit automatic license plate readers.
• Europe, China, and others who choose taxi drivers over car-sharing passengers.
• The paper industry for opposing e-labeling.
• California’s governor for vetoing RFID in driver’s licenses.
• Wyoming for effectively outlawing citizen science.
• The Federal Communications Commission for limiting broadband innovation.
• The Center for Food Safety for fighting genetically improved food.
• Ohio and others for banning red light cameras.

Got a (least) favorite?
Vote now
Need more information before you cast a ballot? The ITIF has published this 18-page report defining Luddism and detailing their rationale for each name on the Luddite list.